NYC Data Science Academy

Summary

The NYC Data Science Academy is a wonderful organisation comprised of passionate and deeply knowledgeable people. Their curriculum is top notch, fast but fairly paced, and teaches the skills needed to be successful in any data scientist position. The course requires completion of four major projects which not only gives you real coding experience, but enables you to walk away from the program with solid evidence that you have the coding skills and knowledge of theory required to be successful in the field of data science. Along the way, you will make many new friends and you will expand your network of data scientists to help in your job search. If you work hard to make the best effort you can, three months from now you will be writing a review just like me about how you made the right call to join the NYC Data Science Academy.

My Background

I graduated with a bachelor's in Biology from an Ivy League school in December 2017. While looking for jobs, I realized that if I wanted to land the kind of research position I wanted I had a much longer road in academia than I had originally anticipated. I ran into an old friend who had completed a web development bootcamp and he told me to look into similar programs. After speaking with another friend who is a CTO of a startup, he suggested that I look into data science programs because of the increasing demand in the field. I had some experience coding in Java, but nothing crazy and I hadn't really coded in years. I have always had an interest in computers and I really enjoy the problem solving aspect of data science, so I figured I'd take the risk to change career paths.

The Course

I had three specific things in mind when searching for the right program for me. These were:

1. Multiple projects throughout the program
2. Reviewed highly by graduates
3. Programming languages taught include Python, R, and SQL

I think these are important qualities for any data science program, but they were specifically important to me because I was making the switch from a non-technical field.

First, the projects were a must because I wanted to leave the program knowing I had something concrete to show employers. NYC Data Science Academy has 4 dedicated projects so that when you graduate from the program you have solid evidence of your skills as a data scientist. The last is a capstone project which allows you to work with a real business on a real business problem. This is a great opportunity to prove your worth as a data scientist.

Second, I wanted to find a program that was rated very highly by its graduates. NYC Data Science Academy has some of the best reviews I've seen of any data science program, and for good reason. The instructors have a deep understanding of the material and they are both friendly and professional. The curriculum is as hard as it needs to be for a 12-week program, but the pace the instructors set is fair. The TAs are a tremendous resource and they are available for a reasonable amount of time to get your questions in. The course explores the most important aspects of data science and challenges you with case studies and coding challenges so that you can get a good idea of what to expect when you enter the industry.

Third, I was looking for a program that taught Python, R, and SQL. These three languages are the most highly saught after in data science jobs I have seen, so learning them gives you a solid base for most opportunities out there. Many bootcamps offer Python, R, or SQL, but few offer all three. NYC Data Science Academy is one of those few.

The Result

I was originally thinking about using free online resources to teach myself data science techniques, but after going through the bootcamp process, I am extremely glad I made the investment. I was able to accomplish in 3 months what would have taken me over a year to do by myself. I was also pleasantly suprised at how close I became with my fellow classmates. They were all wonderful and intelligent people and I now have a close network of capable data scientists who I can call upon in the future if I find myself in a rut. This is a massively valuable resource that I didn't even consider when applying for the bootcamp.

The job preperation workshops were also immensely helpful when preparing for the job search. Things like resume reviews, mock interviews, and coding challenges helped to ease me into the world of professional interviewing. I am now on my way to becoming an expert interviewer. There is also a networking event at the conclusion of the program which allows you to get in touch with a diverse group of companies looking to hire. The very next week after graduating from the bootcamp I was actively talking with multiple employers.

I remember reading in a lot of bootcamp reviews that what you get out is what you put in. I will reiterate this because it is absolutely true. This program is not a day care, its purpose is not to motivate you or convince you that this is your path. This program is meant to supply you with all the resources and tools you need to be successful in a data science career. If you go in with the mindset that you will work hard and do your best to learn more material than you thought you could, you will be successful. NYC Data Science Academy has everything you need to be a success, you just need to make the effort to reach out and take it.

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The experience in NYC Data Science Academy is life changing for me. I am a graduate student in New York University studyng Psychology. Before I entered the bootcamp, I had almost none exposure to coding, programming, not to mention machine learning.

The instructors are professional and helpful. Six weeks into this bootcamp, I found my current internship for a data analyst position. What I have leanred in the bootcamp helped me pass the technical interview and got me the job. I do appreciate it a lot. 

If you come from a background that is barely related to data science, programming or statistics, this bootcamp will get you started on a career for a data scientist. Other than technical skills, the bootcamp will also provide you with an approachable platform for job opportunities. At the end of the bootcamp, there will be a hiring event where over 100 recruiters will come and talk to you. About 30-50% of the students will find a job on that event. Most of my cohort got an on-site interview from at least one company. 

If you are looking for a job, then this bootcamp will be a perfect fit for you. 

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First of all, unlike many bootcamp students, I didn’t come from a background with coding or science, nor do I have a master degree. And I am currently a data scientist working at a startup, helping brands to understand their customers better through an emotional lens using Natural Language Processing. This definitely to certain extent proves not only the rigorousness of the course disciplines and the willingness from the bootcamp to go an extra mile to help the students who don’t come from a ‘regular’ background to succeed.

I picked NYC DSA as the academy’s overall rating was simply the best across all data science bootcamps on the East Coast and the backgrounds of the instructors listed on the website were impressive to me. Coming from a business and consulting background, I consider myself very hardworking and competitive - I only wanted the best and NYC DSA was simply just it.  

 

What I Loved about the Bootcamp:

• The Depth of knowledge of the instructors, especially Aiko Liu (Aiko really influenced the way how I think about data science problems and he paved a really good knowledge foundation for us)
• The Rigorousness of the course disciplines
• The fantastic quality of classmates (they will be your best friends and your network after you graduate in three months)
• The emphasis on solving practical business problems with data science skillsets (this is critical for you to find a job on the East Coast)
• The partnership with big corporations for capstone projects

 

Some Suggestions:

• I wish the academy could focus less on R and more on Python. Maybe they have changed the balance currently. During the time of my enrollment, it was 50% R and 50% Python. Although R is a very useful programming language for statistical analysis and visualization, Python is the dominant language in the data science field. If you are just about to attend the bootcamp, I would suggest you place a larger focus on Python and practice data science problems with Python as much as possible.
• I wish the academy could test or at least walk through some interview-level challenges/case studies methodologically to the students during the three months of experience. I believe this will not only prepare the students better in terms of what to expect from a data science interview, but also help the students start formulating thought processes related to solving data science problems.

 

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My experience with N?YCDSA with great. No bootcamp is perfect (there's a lot of information to pack in 12-15 weeks), but I thought NYCDSA did a great job of providing the teaching, resources, and curriculum to be a competitive job candidate after graduating.   The atmosphere is very collegial where student and teaching assistant constantly are trying to help eachother and make sure everyone is getting the most out of the program. That being said, there is a lot of variance in where each student is coming from beforehand. So its important for each individual to seek help when necessary (which isn't very hard given how friend and accomodating the instructors are)   After the bootcamp, Vivian and the others put a strong emphasis on putting us in the best position to succeed. Whether that was prep interviews, sending job postings, or just checking up. Overall would recommend! Read less

To begin, my experience with NYCDSA was excellent. The curriculum was comprehensive, instructors were knowledgeable,and my cohort-mates, friendly. I set out to attend a data science bootcamp after spending several years in tech consulting and at a marketing startup as an implementation and integration lead. I decided to attend NYCDSA particularly because it looked to have the most rigorous curriculum and advanced student projects compared to other camps I had looked into. With that, it was definitely a challenging and time-consuming experience but one that I am grateful for going through.   On the whole, I thought the material was very practical and accommodated the wide spectrum of experience levels that my cohort contained (from fresh college grads to experienced PHDs). The course covered broad topics in data science with enough depth to be applied in the real world, so I now feel empowered to further my learning and tackle even harder data/tech problems after the camp. The instructors are all capable and are more than willing to help troubleshoot technical problems that will inevitably come up. The cohort is 40+ students so their time is obviously at a premium and you should expect to drive a lot of your own learning. However this actually made for stronger connections within my cohort as well since we were able to rely on each other to review our understanding of concepts, collaborate on projects, and have fun after hours.    After the bootcamp, NYCDSA notified me of many potential job opening as well as acted as a recommendation. I felt as though they were always prepared to support me given that I had everything prepared on my end as well. Obviously not every student will have a completely smooth experience with the job search process, but I’m confident that anyone who is willing to put in the effort and dedication in learning the material and crafting their applications will be able to advance a career in data after attending. Since graduating, I started a contractor role at Spotify, which eventually lead me to secure a full-time position at Facebook several months later. And while I put in considerable personal effort to secure these roles, I also know it would not have been possible with the skills and support I received (and continue to receive) from NYCDSA.  Read less

I had a truly rewarding experience at NYCDSA. The staff is professional and friendly, and the material is relevant for a wide range of data professions.

Before I joined NYCDSA, I had researched and reviewed several other similar boorcamps. I think NYCDSA really cares and help you to success.

The program helped me to open the doors to several opportunities for me and the staff sets time aside to help you position and present yourself well for job interviews. I have accepted good amount job interviews since I have graduated from NYCDSA, and felt very well prepared for the interview process. Five stars!

If you are less familiar with coding (which I was), then you really need to do your pre-course very well. Because once the bootcamp starts, the foundation is very important. Patience and getting comfortable with the process of coding is absolutely essential.

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1. Why NYCDSA:

Before I made the decision, I did some research online (course report and switchup). I chose a few bootcamps with highly positive reviews and visited all of them. Finally I picked NYCDSA because the curriculum is comprehensive and the instructors are very nice to me during my visit. 

2. My overall experience with the bootcamp

1. The curriculum covers most of the items listed in the typical job descriptions/requirements of a data scientist. As long as you are good at these skills, you should be confident in the job hunting. Of course you need to put a lot of effort on developing the skills, and the bootcamp can give you a clear roadmap from programming 101 all the way to deep learning algorithms. Besides the regular coursework, you are required to finish 4 projects in which you can practice what you learn during the class, and get a good sense how to deal with real-life data. If you put enough time on it, you will be proud of yourself and impress other people by what you have done. They are not just some bullet points on your resume.
2. The instructors are incredible. They have a deep understanding about what they are teaching, in both theory and practice levels. Students are always encouraged to ask questions during the class or outside of the classroom. Whenever I had questions they can give me quick answers almost all the time.
3. I learned a lot from my classmates. The class profile of my cohort is highly diverse, from math PhD to Harvard MBA, from psychologist to investment banker. The common interest in data science gave us a chance to sit in the same classroom for 3 months. I made friends with many classmates, especially the ones I did group projects with. We learn from each other, share job information and interview experience with each other. I feel very privileged to study and work together with so many smart and interesting people here.
4. The career assistance is great. The bootcamp did many different things to help us on job hunting, including job placement workshop, resume review, hiring partner event, alumni referral, even some online webinars when the bootcamp is over. I received several emails from the bootcamp regarding open positions every week. They also provide mock interview on both HR and technical sides. You job hunting will be much different if you make fully use of these resources.

There are still more good things about the camp than I listed here. For people who want to switch careers to data science I sincerely recommend this bootcamp for you. Just make sure you spend enough time on the pre-work before you come to the class.

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I learned about NYC Data Science Academy (NYCDSA) by googling. I was searching for more systematical training and professional hring guide in Data Science after taking numerous online courses by myself. I chose on-site NYCDSA bootcamp because 1. More efficient than Master Degree, 2. High reputation and reviews received from NYCDSA alumni, and 3. A perfect match for me who has advanced degree in STEM and wants to switch career. I'm so glad that I made the decision to join NYCDSA.

One of the best things about the NYCDSA is that you are required to finish 4 intense main projects that cover nearly all the key skills you'll need for Data Science jobs and job searching: Python, R, Machine Learning, Big Data, Deep Learning, etc. I needed to show the best of what I'd learned and my coding skills to present, to learn how to collaborate with teammates who have different background and ideas, and more importantly, to meet deadlines! 

After the bootcamp, I'm well equiped with an 'arsenal' for job searching: polished resume highlighting my Data Science projects & experience; professional links as your show case: GitHub, NYCDSA blog posts, etc; interview questions & exams, including one-on-one mock interview practice; connections with hiring partners and a whole set of job searching follow-ups and support...... I'm so lucky to have those helps from NYCDSA, and entire cohort of friends and connections.

I highly recommend NYCDSA bootcamp to whoever want to seek/switch to career in Data Science.

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I was recommended by one of my friend, who almost had the same background as me and had a job after graduation <from the NYC data science academy Bootcamp>. I came from a business background, and I knew nothing about python until I started the Bootcamp. After 3-month intensive training, I started from zero knowledge in coding to someone can really use machine learning to solve some business questions, and guided me into the world of data science. The instructors are very knowledgeable and very willing to answer all my stupid questions. The curriculums are well-designed and taught the machine learning theories twice, very helpful to me. I enjoyed my time in the NYC Data Science Bootcamp and learned a lot from this onsite Bootcamp.   Read less

I attend NYCDSA because one of my friends' recommendation that the bootcamp offers hands on experience of data science. Actually, the bootcamp is as good as I expect. I will never forget the 3 month learning experience. I study very hard but at the same time I feel like I grow a lot. 

The bootcamp's courses cover everything related to data science, not only the advanced parts such as machine learning and deep learning, but also fundamental skills such as Python, R, SQL. My background is finance. But after studying in the bootcamp, I feel like I am prepared for a data science job. 

The teachers and teaching assistants here are very knowledgeble. In addition, the classmates you study with have strong academic/working experience. Most of the students here have master or phd degree with 2-10 years' working experience. I would highly recommend NYCDSA.

 

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In the past I've used a lot of online courses to try and learn how to use python in my day to day work but I never felt like I "got it." This in person experience was well organized, provided relevant material and challenging homework. The first day of the class really scared me and had me thinking I bit off more than I can chew, but by the end I felt like I'd learned a lot and am thankful to the instructor Tony for his in class comments and examples. I would recommend this course to anyone who is already conducting data analytics but is looking to branch out to python. The course provides a lot of food for thought and made me feel like I have a solid foundation in python now.

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I attended the 2018 Summer bootcamp and was a great experience! Not only academically but also from a personal perspective. I am currently living in Spain so travelled and relocated all the way from Barcelona to join the NYC Data Science Academy. NYCDSA curriculum is really comprehensive  and the information and assistance you get prior to joining the bootcamp from the acadmy’s staff is really good. It’s assuring coming from that far to know what to expect from the bootcamp and to see how responsive the staff was to any queries I had.

I have a background in Location Intelligence with no coding experience (just a bit of SQL) and managed to follow the lessons well enough! Not without effort though. The curriculum is gradual and comprehensive, from mainly coding practice and basic statistics to Machine Learning and then more advanced topics like Deep Learning and Big Data.

Personally I also think is a great experience, the bootcamp allows you to connect and create a Data Science network at the same time you interact with your cohort mates which will be like your family during the 12 weeks that lasts the bootcamp.

Just one warning! Prepare yourself for working hard during the bootcamp, the more you work the more you will get out of it!

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For anyone who is seriously considering a career in data science, I strongly recommend this bootcamp. My background in MS business analytics has nothing to compare with this bootcamp in terms of Machine Learning and Data Engineering. If you only check out 5/10 of a data science job requirement, this bootcamp will make you 10/10, if you put in the work and time. On top of this, every cohort will allow you to meet people who share the same ambition from diverse backgrounds (profession, educational degree, country). One more thing that must be emphasized is that the faculty and staff here are extremely helpful and instructive. Again, I strongly recommend this place if what I have described above are what you are looking for.

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Thank you to Jon Krohn for his approach to teach the lectures and for all his systematic organization of all his materials. Also, for being very attentive to the questions and trying to get back with the constructive help ASAP. And a bit of a personal impression: the mashine vision part of the course was better prepared with the interesting and easy to get examples whereas the NLP part could have been more elaborated, but it is by default the case if you compare these two areas. But, knowing how easy Jon was able to organize the steps for the forst noticed I trully believe it is just a matter of a few more thought on that for him and his Co. It may be also true that one more day of classes would be very nice addition to cover the materials better. The other missing thing was a simple example on how you would deploy the network in any environment to be ised in production.

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I am very glad that I took the decision of joining NYC Data Science Academy to pursue the field of Data Science. The 12-weeks intensive program equips you with a strong and solid foundation for Data Science, even if you come with no background in data at all. The staff is easily approachable and highly knowledgeable. The academy makes sure that you have a good experience to showcase at the job interviews through four different projects (one of them being a live project, solving a real-world business problem for a company). The academic setup, which includes instructors as well as Tas, is excellent and ensures that you have required support and guidance at each and every step throughout the program.

They have a strong professional network and even hold a hiring event towards the end of the bootcamp, where you have the opportunity to interact with various companies (across different industries) looking for potential Data Scientists. The academy supports you throughout the process of finding the right job, even after graduating from the bootcamp. Vivian was very helpful with my interview process and providing the right feedback so I can be better prepared and get the job I desired.

Of course, as with any learning process, the real onus of making sure that you get the most out of the bootcamp lies with you. This is a very intensive 12 weeks program and you need to make sure that you dedicate this period fully to Data Science.

I thoroughly enjoyed the learning process at the bootcamp. It helps you grow not only as a Data Scientist but also as professional through the diverse mix of students coming from different academic and professional backgrounds. I highly recommend NYCDSA to anyone who is seeking to make a career in Data Science.

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The bootcamp program of NYCDSA is designed to take the skillset of every student to the next level regardless of the preliminary expertise.  Covering basics of R and Python during the pre-work and first month of the bootcamp follows by a deep dive into the essence of every popular machine learning algorithm, as well as implementation details and caveats in both, R and Python.  The understanding of these caveats combined with more common knowledge will facilitate and ease the continuous learning and career advancement for years to come.  It is important to note that to get most out of this bootcamp, full dedication is required.

Anyone who is serious about having career in data science and willing to do the hard work to make it happen should seriously consider this 3-month program. The materials of the courses are superb, and the instructors are world-class, willing to take the time to answer every question with enough attention to ensure that understanding of students progresses.  Finally, the academy’s professional networking events and job search-related workshops give a great boost to the job finding opportunities.  I enjoyed my time at the academy and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

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I highly recommended the deep learning course for anyone. Jon is the best teacher. He actively responses to your questions and teaches you in a easy-understainding way. I am very happy that I made the right decision. Starting from zero to having an application idea for my research. 

Thanks Jon! 

 

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NYC Data Science Academy was essential in helping me to make the transition from a career in academia to the field of data science.  It is a very intensive course that is filled with statistics, coding, machine learning, natural language processing, big data, and other topics.  Frankly, there were too many topics for me to apprehend while the bootcamp was running, but one of the great features of the course is that you are able to go back and review key lectures - which I periodically do as my understanding of the field deepens.  Another great strength of the curriculum is that you are exposed to a variety of instructors who have different backgrounds and approaches.  I can think of distinctive strengths for Drace, Aiko, Luke, and Zeyu in their presentation and shared perspective.  Vivian and Chris gave terrific seminars on seeking employment and how to interview.  Finally outside lecturers such as Bernard Ong held court and imparted their wisdom and that comes from a wealth of experience in the field.  

    One other strength of the program is in the variety of lecturing styles and the mix of labs, guided activities, and more conventional lectures. I think this allows people with a variety of learning styles to flourish and speaks to the thoughtfulness in constructing the curriculum. The projects are essential to applying the concepts and give you an opportunity to sharpen your coding and analysis skills.

    In the end, as I said previously, it was all a bit much for me to take in during the bootcamp, but there are a series of materials - such as Jupyter notebooks, pdf slides, and videos that I continue to refer back to as I progress in the field.  For me, the challenge was less about the difficulty of the material but the sheer volume.  I tend to get interested in something and don’t want to hear much else until I feel like I have a deeper understanding.  Only then do I like to move on. Were I to do it over, I would be a little more disciplined about indulging my curiosity and pay a little more attention to the flow of material and presentation because they really know what they’re doing and what you need as you progress.

 

tl,dr:

    I highly recommend this Bootcamp, it was of tremendous value to me.  12 weeks of instruction from deeply knowledgeable instructors who possess keen business acumen and know how to help people get jobs. It was a very enjoyable experience for me to be surrounded by interesting and smart people from all types of backgrounds and each with something unique to contribute to the cohort.

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I had a truly rewarding experience at NYCDSA. The staff is approachable and friendly, and the material is relevant for a wide range of data professions.

The program opened doors to several opportunities for me and the staff sets time aside to help you position and present yourself well for job interviews. I accepted a job from one of NYCDSA's hiring partners, and felt very well prepared for the interview process. Five stars!

Side note: One recommendation I have for those less familiar with coding (which I was), is to embrace the "have you tried googling that?" culture within Data Science and programming as a whole. While the tendency at a supportive bootcamp is to ask your instructors how to debug a line of code or build an ML template, more often than not the answer is a google search away, and there are TONS of excellent resources out there. Patience and getting comfortable with the process of finding the answers to your questions online is absolutely essential.

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